Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss usually is genetic. If your parents
had thinning hair, you have a 95 percent likelihood
of experiencing thinning hair or baldness. Certain
medications or medical conditions may also cause
hair loss.

Although the exact causes are unknown,
heredity, hormones and age are contributing factors
for the most common type
of hair loss, called
male pattern and female pattern baldness. In
males, this form of hair loss is influenced by
sex hormones called androgens, principally testosterone.

Androgens
also are present at low levels in women, making
them susceptible to female pattern baldness.
Contrary to the popular belief that baldness
is inherited from the maternal side of the family,
it is believed the condition depends on genes
contributed by both parents.

Other
Causes of Hair LossHair loss also may be caused by a variety of factors including medications,
cancer treatment drugs, childbirth, birth control
pills, stress, nutritional deficiencies or infections. Contact your physician
for diagnosis and treatment.